We flew out of Minneapolis, MN on the 1st of September 2014. Arrived in Baltimore and spent about 10 hours in the airport before we left for Italy, thank goodness for the USO! We flew out around 1:00 am on the 2nd. Our first stop in Europe was Ramstein, Germany then headed to Aviano arriving around 7:30 pm on the 2nd. We were greeted by about 5 people from the shop and brought to our TLF room. Everyone did awesome adjusting to the 7 hour time change. I think we only had one night that the kids were up in the middle of the night and that was the third night here.
On the 5th of September the kids started school and rode a bus to school for the first time! Quite a change for all of us since I have either walked or biked them to school for the past four years. We were also able to pick up our van, which really helped with all the appointments we had!
September 8th to the 10th Bill and I attended Right Start, which was very helpful and informational. So much to get done: find a house, find a second car (which we have to pay road taxes on), getting our Italian drivers license, applying for a Soggiorno (so we are able to live in Italy), applying for a Codice Fiscale (used for purchases off base), find a church, and the list goes on and on...
After looking at only 6 houses we made our choice, since there were very few houses available. I guess that's what happens when you come in in off PCS season :( We dropped off our housing contract on the 11th and signed it on Monday the 15th, with the side note that they add heat in two of the basement rooms and put screens on all the windows. Bill had to get everything set up with Home Fuels, that is how we pay our utilities, so we get a tax break. That's a whole other story for another time. Move in date is September 29th!
September 14th we attended the Protestant service on base and enjoyed it!
September 15th Alyssa started baton at school and absolutely loves it, I can't wait to see her recital!
September 20th we went to our first festival, the American/Italian Friendship Festival in Sacile. It was a great time! The kids got to go canoeing for the first time, they went through an Italian Fire Fighter obstacle course, we had good food, we watched a lot of shows put on by local groups, but most of all got to spend time together as a family!
September 22nd we purchased our second car a 2003 Mitsubishi Space Star, pictures to come. It is like a tiny mini van! We are just waiting on the backseat head rests to arrive from the prior owner. Insurance is very expensive here, plus if you have a second car you pay a yearly road tax on it. Insurance is also taxed like crazy. I can't image living here and not being in the military.
Today is the arrival of our FMO stuff, closets, washer, dryer, and stove. The kids also only have a half day of school and have a long weekend!
